Neurons and Neuroplasticity by Theresa Walsh

lila145 — 2025-09-19 15:09:38 UTC

Neurons are the information processing part of the brain.

lila145 — 2025-09-19 15:12:22 UTC

Neurons, also known as nerve cells essentially make up the brain and nervous system.

The function of a neuron is to transmit nerve impulses along the length of an individual neuron and across the synapse into the next neuron.

lila145 — 2025-09-19 15:16:13 UTC

The part of Neurons are:

- the Soma (cell body)

- axon (a nerve fiber conducting electrical impulses away from the soma)

- dendrites (tree-like structures that receive signals from other neurons).

- The myelin sheath is an insulating layer that forms around the axon and allows nerve impulses to transmit more rapidly along the axon.

Neuralpathways as Trampelpfads

2025-09-19 15:17:40 UTC

"Trampelpfad" meaning a path created by people stomping along the same trail. In the context of Neural pathways, it is on and the same.

There are many pathways in your brain from one neuron to another. Some are more established than others. The most established ones are what we know as habits. The more you do something, the stronger the pathway becomes, and the easier it is.

2025-09-19 15:17:41 UTC

Myelin is a living tissue that lives around the axon that the more myeline there is the faster the neurons fire.

lila145 — 2025-09-19 15:18:12 UTC

"Myelin is living tissue, which means that, like a muscle, it must be exercised to stay healthy and grow. The more you use the axons in your brain, the fatter the myelin layer around them gets, making it ever easier to perform the skill that you do when those particular neurons fire. Put simply: Practice makes perfect."

Strong Neural Pathways Aren't Always Good

2025-09-19 15:20:35 UTC

As humans, we have both good and bad habits.

In order to break a bad habit, we need to weaken that pathway, or strengthen another one instead.

lila145 — 2025-09-19 15:22:01 UTC

Neurons that fire together, wire together.

The Axon

2025-09-19 15:27:26 UTC

The axon, or nerve fiber, is the tail-like part connected to the neuron. It's purpose is to carry signals away from the cell body and to other neurons.

Most Neurons have 1 axon, which can range in size from 0.1 millimeters to over 3 feet! Some are covered in a substance called myelin, which acts as an insulator and helps to transmit signals quicker.

2025-09-19 15:29:38 UTC

Deep practice is the process of strengthening the myelin surrounding your axons. This is developed by consistent repetition of a thought or action. Throughout this process, making mistakes allows your brain to learn and grow. in doing so, the myelin surrounding your axons thickens, creating a smoother and quicker journey for your electrons.

2025-09-19 15:30:59 UTC

The Soma

2025-09-19 15:31:56 UTC

The soma, or cell body, is the core of the neuron. It's function is to maintain the cell and keep the neuron workling efficiently.

It contains a cell nucleus that contains genetic information and directs the synthesis of proteins, which are vital for otehr parts of the neuron to function.

It is enclosed with a membrane that protects it and allows it to connect with its surroundings.

lila145 — 2025-09-19 15:34:32 UTC

"...as you take your own path again and again, it becomes the main path, just like when forming a new habit — and the old path withers away."

lila145 — 2025-09-19 15:35:09 UTC

2025-09-19 15:35:14 UTC

lila145 — 2025-09-19 15:36:28 UTC

Deep practice is how you grow myelin.

It’s based on three things:

Repetition.
Making mistakes.
Fixing them.